Travel case for shoes



J.H. BUN'TE TRAVEL CASE FOR SHOES Feb. 24, 1959 Filed Aug. 21, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. J se bk H. BunZ e BY ATTORNEY Feb. 24, 1959 J. H. BUNTE 2,874,813

TRAVEL CASE FOR 'SHOES Filed Aug. 21, 1956 2' Sheets-Sheet 2 Josep INVENTOR h H Bax/12% United States Patent TRAVEL CASE SHGES osonhi Bu s, @Ga y, n Application August 21, 1956, Serial No. 605,377 -7 claim (Cl; 190-51) and construction whereby several pairs of shoes, for

example, may be respectively placed in pockets or compartments for storage and protection.

: More particplarly in this regard, an object of the in vention is to provide a case which is primarily comprised of a frame divided into a plurality of formations and a sheet of suitable fabric, such as soft durable cloth which is preferably secured to the outer parts of the frame and of a sufficient size to permit portions of the sheet to loosely recede into the formations to provide pockets, compartments or nests for the pairs of shoes.

A" significant object of the invention is to provide a case in which the sheet of fabric is readily detachably connectible to the frame by resilient means, preferably in the form of a rubber band, so that the sheet may be removed for washing and then replaced.

Another ,object of the invention is to provide a case of the kind above referred to in which parts of the frame and the fabric sheet are so constructed that the shoes will readily adjust or accommodate themselves to the pockets. In some instances, dependingon the position of the sheet, some of the pockets may be formed by merely placing the shoes against the sheet so the shoes, due to their weight, will pause portions of the sheet to fallinto the fo ms one to automa o lyfo m t p e or if esir d, th sho may be Pushe a n t p i ns of t e hoot t c e rmation t po in ic ent the o 9i .o flaio oc et may y a c d n to tho o the hoes- .A. pec fic obioot of. the in ent on s o p o d a c se i whic the shoe a e oos y ho d n p ace d ul y protested against dama e by th s e t 7 v A further object of the invention is to provide a case in which on .o more. flexible and/or rigi r p of suitabl material may be se ured n th frame to p vid e ts or h lve or lendin upport to the shoes or any o her i ems placed in he pocke s whe the s is in a normal upright position.

Another-important object of the invention is to provide a ease in which th frame thereof is preferably constructed of rod or strip material. Rods made of wire of a hea genes av grown sa s act y in s b al st ps as i 'plast o ods nd strips ld also be employed, as it is only essential that a light weight frame be provided with formations for nesting portions of the sheet. I a t t i Afparticular eject of the inventionis to provide a frame, preferably comprised of a plurality of square or rectangular members which are interfitted in cross relati nsh n ih on ano he towpro ho o atio and ieu se ur th v mem e in p a p e rab y by wel in '2 to forma substantial frame that will stand up when subjected to hard usage. V

Also, an object of the invention is to provide a case embodying the above unique characteristics and a cover therefor which is .operatively associated with the case in a manner to assist in holding and protecting the shoes in the pockets, including means facilitating manipulation of the cover to open and close the case for use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a case in which the cover is attached to the case, including a novel detachablehandle assembly for carrying the case.

Other attributes of the invention are to provide a case which is of a convenient size for handling, light in weight, durable, and efficient for the purpose designed and constructed.

Additionalobjects and advantages of the invention will become apparent after the description hereafter set forth is considered in conjunction with the drawings annexed hereto wherein one embodiment of the invention is .exemplified.

.- In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of the complete case with portions broken away and the cover turned back to illustrate the relationship between components of the structure;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the case;

Figure 3 is a partial view illustrating the use of a zipper for securing the flap .of the cover in place;

Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of. an upper portion of the case depicting the manner of attaching the cover and a' handle to the frame;

Figure 5 is a partial vertical section showing a shelf operatively associated with the frame in a unique manner; Figure 6 is a vertical transverse section taken through an appropriate part of the case and with portions broken away to exemplify details of construction;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the frame; and

Figure 8 is .a modified way of detachably connecting thefabric sheet to a frame.

Referring generally to the drawings, and primarily to Figure 1, numeral 1 generally designates a frame; 2 a sheet of cloth or fabric; and 3 a cover. r The frame is unique in design and construction and will be considered first as it constitutes the foundation supporting the sheet 2 and cover 3. The frame, as alluded to above, may be constructed from any material suitable for the purpose, such as rod or strip stock, but, as exemplified herein, the members comprising the frame are made from heavy gauged wire which, after being bent to a particular shape or configuration, will firmly retain its shape. a a

The frame, -as constructed and as shown in Figure 7, preferably includes a pair of' corresponding rectangular side'members generally designated 4 and 5 which are primarily maintained in spaced parallel relation by a pair of corresponding horizontal partitions or members 6 and 7 and a vertical partition or member 8;

More particularly, each of the side members 4and 5 includes a top rail, 9, a bottom rail 10, and end rails 11 and 12. The upper corners of the side members are respectively joined together by braces 13 and their lower corners =by braces 14. The top rails are also joined by a pair of braces 15 located between the upper corner braces 13. 7

Each 'of the horizontal partitions 6 and 7 is preferably made in the form of an elongated relatively narrow rectangular frame, and includes a pair of corresponding side rails 16 and end rails 17 anda brace 18; joining the side rails intermediate their ends. These partitions are of a size to snugly fit substantially within: the confines of the sidemembers 4 and 5 and the corners of the partitions are secured to the vertical end rails of the side members in any suitable manner because the character of securement may depend on the kind or shape of material which is employed to construct the frame. However, as shown herein, the various portions of the members, partitions and braces are preferably permanently secured together by welding.

The vertical partition 8 is made similar to the horizontal partitions in that it is in the form of a narrow rectangular frame which includes a pair of corresponding side rails 19 and end rails 20. The partition 8 is snugly disposed and secured within the confines of the side members 4 and 5 and in embracing relationship to the horizontal partitions with its corners secured to the top aand bottom rails of the side members, and its side rails 19 to the side rails 16 of the horizontal partitions at locations in alignment with the braces 18. If desired, the upper end rail 20 may be omitted; also the lower rail 20 may be omitted and in lieu thereof separate braces may be employed to bridge the lower rails at locations between the lower braces 14.

The above described frame is light in weight, very stable and strong and the partitions in combination with the side members define six corresponding rectangular formations which respectively provide space for six pairs of shoes in a manner which will be described more in detail subsequently.

The sheet 2 may be constructed of any material suitable for the purpose which affords protection for shoes, but in use, a material such as flannel has proven satisfactory. The sheet is preferably of a relatively large rectangular size and may be fastened or attached to the frame in various ways, but as exemplified in Figures 1, 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, the marginal edges of the sheet are folded over and secured to the top and bottom rails 9 and 10 and end rails 11 and 12 of the front side member 4, by stitches 21. The sheet is of suflicient fullness to permit portions thereof to recede into the confines of the formations of the frame to provide six nests or pockets for six pairs of shoes. As shown in Figure 1, each portion of the sheet within the confines of a formation defines a nest or pocket having a bottom or back wall 22, upper and lower walls 23 and 24 and end walls 25, each pocket preferably having a suflicient fullness or slack to'permit the shoes to readily adjust themselves to the pockets. Attention is directed to the fact that with this setup the shoes may shift in the pockets so that in some instances the shoes in one pocket may move to some extent into an adjacent pocket or outwardly with respect to the frame.

Although not essential, the sheet may be additionally attached to the frame, such as by stitchings or ties 26 at the corners of the formations adjacent the rear side member 5 as depicted in Figures 1, 5 and 6 in order to maintain the shape of the pockets.

Also, if found desirable, an endless strip of relatively firm material, such as cotton webbing 27 may be secured about and on the end rails 17 and brace 18 of the horizontal partitions 6 and 7 and with strips of material, such as cardboard 50 is disposed on opposite sides of the partitions and within the confines of the webbing strips as shown in Figures 5 and 6 to provide shelves assisting to prevent shoes, due to their weight, from moving appreciably downwardly between the side rails 17. The braces 18 not only reenforce the frame but provide bridges for supporting the strips of webbing and cardboard intermediate their ends. As shown in Figure 6 a shelf or bottom for the case of similar construction is operatively associated with the lower end of the vertical middle partition 8 anad the braces 14 adjacent the lower corners of the frame. If desired, the bottom shelf illustrated may be omitted, and in lieu thereof a plurality of longitudinally extending rods can be secured in parallel overlapping relationship to 4 the corner braces 14 and the lower end rail 20 to provide a rest or bottom wall.

It is to be understood that the frame may be designed and constructed to provide pockets of various sizes and/or shapes for accommodating shoes or other items such as toilet articles, wearing apparel and the like. In other words, the use of the case is not limited to shoes.

It is to be further understood that the frame members and partitions are preferably in the form of square or rectangular rings and that the braces and partitions serve as spacers between the frame members.

The cover 3 for the frame may be designed and constructed in various ways, but is preferably made from an attractive but suitable waterproof or repellent sheet material. More particularly, the cover includes a rectangular container 28 which snugly receives the frame and a flap 29 hingedly connected to a bottom wall of the container as indicated at a location spaced inwardly from the ends of a bottom wall 30, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The container includes the bottom wall 30, a top wall 31, a back wall 32, and end walls. The marginal edge portions of the Walls of the container and the free marginal edge portions of the flap are preferably respectively provided with complementary zipper parts 33 and, as shown in Figure 1, for connection by a zipper element 34 for detachably securing such edge portions together as evidenced in Figure 2.

The container of the cover is preferably secured to the frame by providing the top wall 31 of the container with a pair of transverse slots 35 through which the ends of a handle 36 extend and are looped about and secured to the bracket 15 by fastening means 37 preferably in the form of a detachable snap connection. With this unique setup the handle affords a means for detachably locking the cover to the frame through detachable connection of the handle and frame. The handle is preferably made in the form of a flexible strap constructed of any desirable material or fabric so that it may lay flat. The top wall of the container is also preferably provided with members 38 secured thereto. These members serve to reenforce the top wall of the container adjacent the slots 35 and are provided with slots which receive the handle.

As alluded to above and exemplified in Figure 8 of the drawing, a fabric sheet may be detachably connected to the frame by resilient means. More particularly in this regard, the marginal edge portions of a fabric sheet 39 are overlapped to provide a tubular formation 40 within which a rubber or resilient band 41 is so disposed that it will hold the tubular formation 40 in a detachable embracing gripping relationship with a frame. This arrangement permits removal of the sheet for washing or replacement. Obviously, if found desirable, the sheet may be otherwise connected to the frame, such as by a. plurality of snap connecting buttons appropriately spaced apart along the border of the sheet.

In view of the foregoing description it will be manifest that the caseoifers many advantages with respect to use for carrying shoes and other items, is light in weight, durable and of a size facilitating handling, and storage for transport.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of the invention, and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described.

I claim:

1. A case of the kind described comprising a frame constructed of rods joined together to provide a plurality of box-like compartments, a sheet of resilient material secured to the frame and having portions receding into the compartments to provide pockets having a depth substantially corresponding to the thickness of the frame,

and means carried by the frame and interposed between the pockets for stabilizing side portions thereof. 7

2. A case of the kind described comprising a pair of corresponding substantially square frame members, braces joining the members and serving to maintain the members in spaced relationship to provide a box-like frame, a partition in said frame dividing the frame into box-like compartments, a flexible sheet member having pockets disposed in the compartments and portions secured to the box-like frame, and resilient means carried by the partition providing a support for at least a portion of one pocket.

3. A case of the kind described comprising a frame provided with formations, a member having portions disposed in the formations and forming pockets, and a resilient band surrounding the member and frame for resiliently detachably holding the member in operative relationship to the frame.

4. A case of the character described comprising a frame and a sheet of yieldable material, said frame comprising a pair of corresponding ring members, a plurality of partitions secured to and between the members and forming in combination therewith a plurality of compartments, and said sheet of yieldable material having its edges attached to one of the ring members and being a size sufficient to enable portions thereof to freely nestingly conform to the shape of the compartments to provide pockets capable of expansion into adjacent compartments.

The structure defined in claim 4, in which the bottom walls of at least some pockets are attached to the other ring member to maintain the shapeof thepockets.

6. The structure defined in claim 4, in which at least one of the partitions includes a pair of spaced parallel portions respectively secured to the frame members, and means interposed between the parallel portions serving to prevent at least one pocket from appreciably receding between the parallel portions into an adjacent compartment.

7. A case of the kind described comprising a generally square frame and a generally square sheet of fabric, said frame comprising opposed pairs of spaced parallel rails, braces joining the opposed pairs of rails adjacent their ends to form the frame, means joining certain of the opposed pairs of rails together at locations between the braces to provide a partition dividing the frame into compartments, said sheet of fabric having outer portions secured to certain of the rails and portions disposed in the compartments and providing pockets substantially conforming to the shapes of the compartments, flexible means carried by the joining means, and relatively rigid means carried by the flexible means for stabilizing the shape of the pockets.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 514,051 West Feb. 6, 1894 1,017,812 Schmelzer Feb. 20, 1912 1,484,581 Stothart et al Feb. 19, 1924 1,848,214 Brown Mar. 8, 1932 1,867,886 Mayers July 19, 1932 1,901,913 Kronenberger Mar. 21, 1933 2,517,757 Adlerstein Aug. 8, 1950 2,634,835 Mayers Apr. 14, 1953 2,728,426 Dobyns Dec. 27, 1955 

